The Last 2-4-0s

As we have seen, from Madiun a largely roadside branch ran to Ponorogo and on to Slahung. In the days when traffic was heavier, the first section required slightly larger power and B53 4-4-0s were usually in charge. However, on the second section and later on the whole line, could be found probably Java's most amazing survivors, the B50 2-4-0s.

Sharp Stewart was a British company which was one of the constituents of the better known North British Locomotive Works in Glasgow, Scotland. It started out in Manchester before transferring to Glasgow in the late 1880s. Manchester built Sharp Stewart locomotives were therefore rare to put it mildly in the 1970s, yet Madiun had a shed which contained up to half a dozen of them!

Undoubtedly the proximity of the railway's main steam workshops was an important factor in their survival as B50s seemed to get in and out of the works rather quicker than most. Despite this, a trip to see the B50s was always something of a lottery because the train was subject to regular suspension owing to power shortages.

The last B50s ran in 1984 and within a few years many of the bridges had been ripped out and the section through the middle of Madiun buried under tarmac.

It is only fair to warn some viewers that the effect of seeing over 40 pictures of B50 working on the branch may prove slightly repetitive. On the other hand, I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to see and ride them at work and I would like to share that unique experience with others.... All aboard!